U.S. weighs terrorism label for Wagner Group

Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group is known to have been active in Ukraine, Syria, and several African countries


WAGNER GROUP OPERATIONS

1 Ukraine: At least 5,000 fighters tied to Wagner reportedly operating alongside Russian forces. Ukrainian officials accuse mercenaries of committing war crimes near Kyiv in Apr 2022
  
2 Syria: Wagner deployed in 2015 to bolster pro-government forces and guard oilfields
  
3 Libya: Active presence since 2016. About 1,000 mercenaries are estimated to have fought with General Khalifa Haftar from 2019-20
  
4 Central African Republic 
Group arrives in 2017 to guard diamond mines. UN and French government accuse fighters of committing rapes and robberies against civilians
        
5 Sudan: Wagner reportedly deployed to protect gold mines
  
6 Madagascar: Personnel arrive in 2018 to provide military training and security assistance
  
7 Mali: In 2021, government invites group to provide security against Islamic militants.
Move precedes French military withdrawal from Mali


Labelling Wagner as foreign terrorist organisation would allow U.S. to pursue criminal prosecution against group and its members
    
                         
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Wagner Group not active in all parts of highlighted countries                                                     
                                             
      
Sources: Bloomberg, BBC, Centre for Strategic and International Studies 
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